Daniel Cormier has finally admitted to using a 'towel trick' to make weight for his 2017 light-heavyweight title defence.
The former two-weight world champion was to rematch Anthony Johnson at UFC 210 when he tipped the scales just over the 205lb limit. He was given hours to lose the extra pound, but opted to return moments later, all of a sudden making weight after lightly gripping the towel that was presented so he could weigh in nude.
At the time, he claimed that the scale had been recalibrated, and he ultimately defeated Johnson to retain his world title. But he has now explained that he did in fact cheat the scale to make weight for the fight.
“Guys, I want to tell you something because I feel like right now is the time to be completely transparent,” Cormier joked during his UFC Hall of Fame induction last night in Las Vegas. “I think I may have grabbed the towel in Buffalo."
Cormier's flabby physique was part of what made him a fan favourite, even when he made the gruelling cut to 205lb during the height of his career. He often struggled with weight, and was hospitalised during his cut for the 2008 Olympics, where he was set to represent America as the captain of their wrestling squad.
And he used an 'old wrestling trick' to make the limit, telling the audience that his coach made the suggestion when he refused to cut any more weight in the bath. He added: “I walked back to the back after missing weight by 1.2lb.
Do you remember Daniel Cormier's infamous weigh-in trick from 2017? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
"I tried to give it up guys, trust me, I tried to give it up. I had a pound to lose, they even went and called my wife to try to get me back in the tub. I said, ‘No way, this s***’s over.’ She told me, Daniel, just take a hot bath. I go, ‘It’s not that simple.' [Dan Leith, nutritionist] goes, ‘DC, do you remember the old wrestling trick?' I said, 'can you stand behind me?' Because there’s two. You can put your hands behind you and the person can lift you up. He said no, it’s the towel one.
“But do you understand the level of ridiculousness that has to happen in order for that to work? I looked down and could not believe my luck. I am a lucky guy. Even when I would lose, somehow the belt would just come back to me. I was like, I’m a lucky guy. So, I look down, and the commissioner’s down on the floor looking at the scale. There’s a second lady. I look down, and she’s right next to him, so I grab the towel like, ‘s***, we're home free!'”
